Upper arm
Postoperative problems affecting the upper arm include
- The upper arm is a rare site for postoperative problems in maxillofacial surgery.
- Split skin grafts for reconstruction are occasionally harvested here. The defect is smaller but similar to the defect created by harvesting skin grafts from the thigh.
- A rarely used free flap, the lateral upper arm flap, creates a defect that is closed primarily but always leaves an area of numbness around the elbow joint and upper forearm. It can create dysfunction of the radial nerve with serious movement and sensation disturbances of the hand on that side.
- Rarely allergic reactions to adhesives placed on the upper arm may be noticed.